Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck by hazards: (a)Duckels Construction, Inc. at 1855 Ski Times Square Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487: On or before October 9, 2009, the employer did not ensure each employee was protected from the hazard of being struck by components of pressurized pipe systems. An employee was working in a 3' x 4' x 41" precast cement vault near a pressurized 2" copper blow-off pipe, also located in the vault. This vertical pressurized blow-off pipe was 5' long, projected 16" above the ground, and was capped with 2" Mueller 110 compression fitting, model H-15451. When the system was pressurized to retrieve water, the compression fitting blew off the pipe exposing employees to a struck by hazard. The Mueller compression fitting was not designed for use above ground, nor with compressed air. Among others, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include: 1. Install and use equipment in a manner that is in accordance with manufacturers' specifications. 2. Install a pressure relief device to prevent over-pressurization at the compression fitting. 3. Install a restraint device to prevent the release of the compression fitting in the event of mechanical failure of the fitting. (b)Duckels Construction, Inc. at 1855 Ski Times Square Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487: On or before October 9, 2009, the employer did not ensure each employee was protected from the hazard of being struck by components of pressurized pipe systems. An employee was working in a 3' x 4' x 41" precast cement vault near a pressurized 2" copper blow-off pipe, also located in the vault. This vertical pressurized blow-off pipe was 5' long, projected 16" above the ground, and was capped with 2" Mueller 110 compression fitting, model H-15451. When the system was pressurized to retrieve water, the compression fitting blew off the pipe exposing employees to a struck by hazard. Among others, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to provide training to all employees involved in the installation, maintenance or repair of pressrized piping systems. Training topics include, but are not limited to: 1. Hazards of compressed air, including procedures to bleed air from the system prior to pressurizing with fluid; 2. Proper installation techniques for compression fittings in above ground applications, and; 3. Mehtods to identify when installation or design procedures deviate from manufacturers' instructions, recognized industry practices and/or applicable industry standards. Abatement Note: Abatement documentation and certification are required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").